Kering

Kering is a global luxury group managing a portfolio of renowned Houses in fashion, leather goods, jewelry, and watches. Founded in 1962 by François Pinault as a timber trading company in Brittany, France, Kering has transformed into one of the world's leading luxury conglomerates, home to iconic brands including Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Brioni, Boucheron, Pomellato, DoDo, Qeelin, and eyewear specialist Kering Eyewear. The company generates approximately €17-20 billion in annual revenue, with Gucci alone accounting for roughly half of total group revenue.

The transformation from Pinault timber operations to luxury powerhouse began in 1999 when the company, then called Pinault-Printemps-Redoute (PPR), acquired a controlling stake in Gucci Group for $3 billion and purchased 100% of Yves Saint Laurent. Through strategic acquisitions in the early 2000s including Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, and Alexander McQueen, PPR built a formidable luxury portfolio. The group was rebranded as Kering in 2013, with the name derived from the Breton word 'ker' meaning 'home,' symbolizing the company's role as a house of luxury brands. Under the leadership of François-Henri Pinault since 2005, Kering has pioneered sustainability initiatives in luxury fashion while navigating the challenges of maintaining brand desirability and growth.

Kering operates 1,813 stores globally, employs approximately 47,000 people, and is publicly traded on Euronext Paris as a constituent of the CAC 40 index. The company has been at the forefront of luxury sector innovation in sustainability, launching initiatives around environmental profit & loss accounting, science-based targets for nature, and water positive strategies. However, Kering has faced significant headwinds in recent years, particularly with declining sales at Gucci, prompting leadership restructuring including the appointment of Luca de Meo as CEO in September 2025, while François-Henri Pinault remains Chairman. The company's strategic focus includes revitalizing Gucci under new creative and commercial leadership, strengthening the performance of Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, advancing sustainability commitments, and selective real estate investments in key luxury markets.